First Nation Friday – Many First Nation Communities have endorsed Trans Mountain

Trans Mountain says it has received endorsements from 43 Indigenous communities

Communities in Alberta and B.C. that are for the proposed twinning of the 1,150 kilometre pipeline from Edmonton to Burrard Inlet.

As Justin Trudeau interrupts his international trip, (briefly!) to come back to Canada to meet with B.C. Premier John Horgan and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, many first nations groups feel they too hold a lot of the power to make or break the Kinder Morgan project.

What some are now considering a potential “constitutional crisis” and are callling a clash between Notley and Horgan, or Trudeau and Horgan, I believe may be in for a surprise….

Premier Horgan said yesterday “the best way forward is to determine jurisdiction,” meaning the two governments refer the matter to the Supreme Court…. Could take years!

Premiers may not be the only stakeholders that should be at the meeting

However! Regarding jurisdiction, legal experts say the biggest threat to the pipeline’s construction may actually come from members of coastal and interior First Nations along the pipeline route who oppose it.

They stand on unceded land and have signed no treaties with the Crown that could undermine their legal position.

They can point to previous Supreme Court wins regarding First Nations title to land in B.C.

Not to mention they are willing to erect actual PHYSICAL barricades to stop construction of the pipeline through their territory.

First Nations are against Trans Mountain? — Not TRUE! — Some, but not all communities oppose the construction

Many first nations communities endorsed trans mountain already.

According to Kinder Morgan, the company engaged with 120 Aboriginal groups, two non-land based B.C. Metis groups and 11 Aboriginal associations, councils and tribes in the lead-up to the National Energy Board’s approval.

According to Kinder Morgan, they have said Trans Mountain has received endorsements from 43 Indigenous communities.

But the fact remains that seven First Nations are among more than a dozen groups challenging the decision in Federal Appeal Court.

Not all first nations communities endorsed trans mountain, and not all are against it. Either way, a decision may not be unanimous.

A victory there would force Ottawa back to the bargaining table.

And a loss would trigger a Supreme Court of Canada battle that could take up to another two years.

Help Support Us & Donate Today!

WEEKLY SPECIAL GUEST

Cold nights, warm homes! It’s cold in British Columbia, and not just by BC standards! Winter storm warnings, snow fall warnings, cold weather advisories all trickled throughout parts of the province the last week and more as some parts of the province hit temperatures in the minus 20s and